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The Complete Works

Handbook, Discourses, and Fragments
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Complete Works by Epictetus is a comprehensive collection of the philosopher's teachings, encapsulating his Stoic philosophy. Through dialogues and discourses, Epictetus focuses on ethics, the nature of control, and the path to personal freedom, guiding readers to distinguish between what lies within their power and what does not. This collection offers profound insights into leading a life of virtue and resilience in the face of adversity.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're interested in exploring the timeless teachings of Stoic philosophy, as it offers practical guidance on leading a life of virtue and wisdom. Readers seeking insights into self-control, personal freedom, and resilience might find this collection deeply enriching and applicable to modern life.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The complete surviving works of Epictetus, the most influential Stoic philosopher from antiquity.

“Some things are up to us and some are not.”

Epictetus was born into slavery around the year 50 CE, and, upon being granted his freedom, he set himself up as a philosophy teacher. After being expelled from Rome, he spent the rest of his life living and teaching in Greece. He is now considered the most important exponent of Stoicism, and his surviving work comprises a series of impassioned discourses, delivered live and recorded by his student Arrian, and the Handbook, Arrian’s own take on the heart of Epictetus’s teaching.

In Discourses, Epictetus argues that happiness depends on knowing what is in our power to affect and what is not. Our internal states and our responses to events are up to us, but the events themselves are assigned to us by the benevolent deity, and we should treat them—along with our bodies, possessions, and families—as matters of indifference, simply making the best use of them we can.

Together, the Discourses and Handbook constitute a practical guide to moral self-improvement, as Epictetus explains the work and exercises aspirants need to do to enrich and deepen their lives.

Edited and translated by renowned scholar Robin Waterfield, this book collects the complete works of Epictetus, bringing to modern readers his insights on how to cope with death, exile, the people around us, the whims of the emperor, fear, illness, and much more.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Robin Waterfield's translation of The Complete Works by Epictetus is praised for its accessibility and clear introduction, which effectively situates Epictetus's ideas within Stoic philosophy. The translation captures the philosopher's humour and conversational style, and it is complemented by scholarly notes that enhance the reader's understanding. This edition is considered a valuable resource for those interested in Stoic thought, making Epictetus's teachings more approachable and relevant for modern readers.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780226769479

Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 06 October 2022

Country: United States

Imprint: University of Chicago Press

Illustration: 10 b-w halftones

Contributors:

  • Edited by Robin Waterfield
  • Translated by Robin Waterfield
  • Edited by Robin Waterfield

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 34.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 626g

Pages: 480

About the Author

Epictetus (c. 50–135CE) was a Greek stoic philosopher. Robin Waterfield is an independent scholar and translator living in southern Greece. In addition to thirty volumes of translations of works of Greek literature, he is the author of numerous books, ranging from children’s fiction to Greek history, most recently The Making of a King, also published by the University of Chicago Press.
 

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